UK Transfusion Safety Standards: Key benefits for transfusion laboratories

The SHOT Transfusion Safety Standards have been created to address ongoing and unresolved safety issues repeatedly identified by the UK’s SHOT haemovigilance scheme.  

While these standards are written to support safe and effective transfusion in the UK, they can equally be applied to the Australian setting. Their aim is to ‘embed safe transfusion systems and processes into practice and organisational culture’.  

For transfusion laboratories, the standards provide a comprehensive and structured, evidence-based framework to improve safety and efficiency. Key benefits for the laboratory team: 

1. Strengthened safety and compliance 

• Standardised procedures ensure traceability from donor to recipient, reducing risk and improving audit readiness.
• Emphasis on sample labelling at the bedside, TACO (transfusion circulatory overload) risk assessments, and concessionary release protocols enhances patient safety and lab accountability.
• Supports regulatory compliance with responsible authorities and national guidelines. 

2. Enhanced information technology (IT) and equipment integration 

• Promotes validated, interoperable IT systems that reduce manual entry and errors.
• Encourages real-time alerts, automated safeguards (e.g. ABO incompatibility prevention), and robust downtime protocols.
• Involves lab experts in system design and procurement, ensuring tools meet operational needs. 

3. Workforce support and development 

• Advocates for adequate staffing, succession planning, and contingency strategies to maintain safe service delivery.
• Emphasises staff wellbeing, fatigue management, and access to mental health support. 

4. Education and competency 

• Mandates role-specific training, including paediatric transfusion and human factors.
• Requires structured competency assessments and protected time for continuing professional development (CPD), ensuring staff remain confident and capable. 

5. Safety culture and learning 

• Fosters a just culture where staff can report concerns without fear.
• Encourages transparent incident reporting, feedback loops, and leadership accountability.
• Promotes learning from near misses and excellence, not just adverse events. 

6. Haemovigilance and risk management 

• Requires robust incident investigation, SMART (specific, measurable, achievable and timely improvement actions), and regular audits.
• Supports risk visibility at the organisational level and ensures lab input into emergency preparedness planning. 

7. Governance and strategic alignment 

• Ensures clear accountability through hospital transfusion teams or transfusion committee structures with executive oversight.
• Aligns lab governance with broader patient safety frameworks and national standards.